Christmas 2015

            Jesus was wrapped in bands of cloth and laid in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. We have a little trouble with the word, “manger.” We get confused about the building and the scene. It is an old word for the “feeding trough.” The scene is odd, and Canon Frank Logue wrote about this in his Christmas sermon a few years ago.

            There was no place for them. Really? Even for a pregnant woman? Joseph is in Bethlehem to participate in a census. Where are the relatives? Presumably, they were required to be there too. Where are the aunts and uncles? No cousins? I wonder if the scandal of Mary’s pregnancy had already reached Bethlehem and caused a lot of doors to be shut.

            For whatever reason, they find themselves in a barn. Jesus is laid in a feeding trough. Maybe the hay makes it soft. Perhaps the animals have more hospitality than the people. (I hope they aren’t hungry!)

            In the middle of the night, God’s angel appears to shepherds. They are watching over their sheep. This is dangerous work and low status. Shepherds are not respected as they roam from place to place and live off the land (they are suspected to be thieves.) They don’t make credible witnesses, but perhaps they are the only ones awake at this hour.

            The glory of God shines around them and they are afraid. The angel begins as angels always do, “Don’t be afraid!” Really, the angel’s words are stronger, “Stop being afraid!” “Why? I have good news! Your savior, your messiah has been born! Here’s the sign. You will find a baby in a feeding trough in a barn!” (Of all places!)

            The angel chorus comes out and breaks into song. They proclaim God’s glory and God’s peace all over the earth. The shepherds don’t quite know what to make of this. They decide to go and see. So they do go and see. They find a baby in a feeding trough in a barn. They tell Mary all about it. Their singing is probably not as good as the angels, but they are having a great time. Mary thinks about these things – she treasures this memory.

            What are we to make of this? Not many of us have experience with barns and shepherds. No angels interrupt our work or our dreams. We have the message to the shepherds. Stop being afraid. We have good news.

            We live in a time of fear. We think that our lives are in constant danger. The news that surrounds us in the 24/7/365 news cycle is one bad thing after another. It is a lie. We are fed a constant stream of bad news to control and to manipulate us – to keep us riveted – to get us to buy soap, or insurance, or beer. We are tempted to withdraw into a world we think we control, where we surround ourselves with voices that agree with us. We are tempted to remain isolated and afraid – because it’s the devil we know. It is a lie.

            Stop being afraid. We have good news. Jesus is in the world. His life, death and resurrection, reconciles us to God. Nothing can change that. No matter how foolish or frightened we get; we know that we are loved and we have the capacity to love others.

            Stop being afraid. We have good news. Go and see. Where has God blessed us? When has God guided us? How has God loved us when we did not think it was possible? God has companioned with us through our successes and failures. God has been present with us when we were lonely and when we were sick and when we were lost. This is the good news that we know. This is the real truth.

            God loves us. God has given us Jesus, so that we can be in a relationship with God. God has forgiven us and God invites us to reconciled with one another. God also invites us into a full and rich eternal life that we can begin to live right now. We can dance like drunk shepherds. We can find glory in a barn.

            Life with God is the only truth worth knowing. Life with God is the only way to find true peace. God gives us this life today and always. This is the good news. Stop being afraid. Go and see. Rejoice!